Arrests Made After Four Year Investigation
Posted by Helya Askari on Apr 17, 2013 - 6:27:10 PM

BEVERLY HILLS—After a four year investigation the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, along with the Beverly Hills Police Department, Santa Monica Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Secret Service charged three suspects with 46 felony counts, and handed out 11 search warrants on Tuesday, April 16 at 4:00 a.m.

According to the press release issued by Lieutenant Lincoln Hoshino of the Beverly Hills Police Department, the arrests were connected to an organized criminal enterprise involving large-scale marijuana distribution.

La Brea Compassionate Caregivers. Photo Courtesy of Facebook.

The organization under investigation was involved in a series of operations including multiple retail marijuana dispensaries that generated massive profits. Known gang members were hired by members of the organization to enforce violence as a means to establish and maintain dominance over the market.

Authorities are currently investigating 20 other suspects for 26 documented crimes including attempted murder, home invasion robbery, conspiracy, arson, extortion, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and use of a destructive device.

The four dispensaries that were searched by police include Zen Dispensary on the 8400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, La Brea Compassionate Caregiver on the 700 block of North La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles, Alternate Herbal Health Services on the 7800 block of Santa Monica in West Hollywood and Marina Caregivers on the 700 block of Washington Boulevard in Marina Del Rey.